![\"Utah](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/AP25310739800137-1024x683.jpg\")
Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) skates with the puck while being pursued by Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) during the second period of a game Oct. 21, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (The Associated Press)<\/p>\nBy the time the Broncos finish their seemingly endless training camp, we\u2019ll be knocking on the door of hockey season.<\/p>\n
A month from now, the Avalanche\u2019s prospects will be playing in the annual rookie tournament. A few days later, training camp will be underway with all the veterans and it\u2019ll be go time.<\/p>\n
An NHL schedule isn\u2019t like the NFL, where there\u2019s variance every year depending on how you do the previous season. In the NHL, you\u2019re guaranteed to play every team at least twice and now with an additional two games, the Avalanche will see each divisional opponent four times. Because of that, there\u2019s no point in breaking down every single game, but there are a few interesting wrinkles in the 84-game schedule for the Avalanche that are worth noting.<\/p>\n
Oct. 13\/14 and Jan. 22\/24: Two home-and-homes
with the Dallas Stars<\/p>\n
Kudos to the schedule makers. Games six and seven (keep it together, folks) for the Avalanche will see them take on the Stars twice in a span of 28 hours. That\u2019s one way to develop some early-season hate between the two clubs.<\/p>\n
If that wasn\u2019t enough, the teams will do it again at the end of January with a second home-and-home series. That one won\u2019t be on back-to-back nights, but will again see the two teams face off in a miniseries and it\u2019s a good bet the points up for grabs will be important when it comes to the standings. All four games between these teams were extremely close last season.<\/p>\n
Dec. 9-23: Christmas vacation (at home)<\/p>\n
Colorado has two season-long five-game home stands, but the one in December is more unique. They\u2019ll play just five games in the above time frame before the NHL takes their yearly Christmas break, but they\u2019ll be able to spend all 14 days in the comfort of their own beds in Denver. That\u2019s rare in the middle of an NHL season. They play some good teams during this time frame as well, including Carolina and Utah.<\/p>\n
Utah Mammoth left wing Michael Carcone (53) skates with the puck while being pursued by Colorado Avalanche center Nathan MacKinnon (29) during the second period of a game Oct. 21, 2025, in Salt Lake City. (The Associated Press)<\/p>\n
Dec. 31: Winter Classic in Utah<\/p>\n
Is the Winter Classic a little played out? Absolutely. Is it cool when your team is in it? Definitely. The Utah Mammoth got better this summer, adding some solid veterans to a young forward group and are looking to make the leap from wild card team to a squad that has a shot at winning the division. As cool as Dec. 31 will be, the two points will matter.<\/p>\n
Feb. 9-13: Eastern Conference gauntlet<\/p>\n
Colorado\u2019s reward coming out of the All-Star break is a trip out east to face arguably the three best teams in the other conference. Starting in Carolina and finishing with back-to-back against the two teams in the Sunshine State, the Avalanche will be tested immediately after the nine-day break.<\/p>\n
March 9-27: Post-deadline home stretch<\/p>\n
Based on Joe Sakic\u2019s last media availability this summer, he\u2019ll save his roster tinkering for in-season. The trade deadline is on March 1, and a week after it passes, the Avalanche will have the opportunity to cement their spot in the standings. From March 9 to March 27, they\u2019ll play 10 games, eight of which will be at Ball Arena. At that time of year, you want to control your own destiny. They\u2019ll have the opportunity to do that.<\/p>\n
April 8: Goodbye to a classic<\/p>\n
The Avalanche will say goodbye to the last of its kind, as they\u2019ll play their final game in Calgary\u2019s Saddledome. It\u2019s unlikely the game will matter much to the Flames, who aren\u2019t expected to be very good, but it\u2019ll be a sad day for folks who love the old barns NHL teams used to play in. Next year, the Flames will play in a new, modern arena.<\/p>\n
Wild ending<\/p>\n
Last year, the Avalanche faced the Dallas Stars three times after the Olympic break, increasing the importance of those games. This coming season, it will be the Minnesota Wild. Three of Colorado\u2019s final 13 games will come against the team they eliminated in the second round, including the season finale on April 10. They could matter in a big way when it comes to seeding for the postseason.<\/p>\n
![\"Colorado](\"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/05_13_26-avs-wild-04144-1024x998.jpg\")
Colorado Avalanche center Nazem Kadri (91) and Minnesota Wild defenseman Quinn Hughes (43) battle for the puck during the third period in Game 5 of the second round of the NHL playoffs Wednesday, May 13, 2026, at Ball Arena in Denver. (The Gazette, Christian Murdock)<\/p>\n
What I\u2019m hearing<\/p>\n
Not sure Valeri Nichushkin did a single interview with the local media last season, but he has no issue speaking to the Russian media. Talking to RB Sport in his home country, he called the Avalanche \u201cone of the oldest teams in the league,\u201d noting that they were one of the youngest when they won the Stanley Cup in 2022. He also spoke highly of Columbus\u2019 core. Calling Colorado \u201cold\u201d (by NHL standards) isn\u2019t wrong. They are one of the oldest teams in the league. That being said, the Avalanche are still in better shape than the Blue Jackets, who are staring down the possibility of their two best players leaving because they have no intention of re-signing in Columbus.<\/p>\n
Avalanche goaltending prospect Ilya Nabokov also spoke to Russian media about his upcoming move to North America and seems to have a positive attitude on having to pay his dues in the AHL. \u201cNaturally, I\u2019d like to play in the NHL,\u201d Nabokov told sports24.ru. \u201cAt the same time, I understand that hockey in North America is completely different and that I\u2019ll need time to adjust. Colorado has several good goaltenders, so I\u2019m preparing myself for the possibility that I\u2019ll need to play in the AHL. But I want to gradually make my way into the NHL.\u201d Nabokov said he hopes to get some NHL games in this coming season, which is a possibility given Mackenzie Blackwood\u2019s injury history.<\/p>\n
What I\u2019m seeing<\/p>\n
Spent two days at Broncos training camp this past week. Crazy to think they have another month until the real games start. The NFL is different from the NHL, but the Avalanche will wrap up training camp in 11 days next month. They\u2019ll get to the real action immediately.<\/p>\n
Still a few decent UFA forward options out on the NHL market, but seems like GMs are taking the entire month off. Not expecting any of them to sign until right before camp.<\/p>\n
What I\u2019m thinking<\/p>\n
The Avalanche will see the Wild a ton at the end of the season, but will they see Quinn Hughes then? Seems to be more concern each day that he won\u2019t sign in Minnesota and wants to play with his brothers.<\/p>\n
Cale Makar will be at Dick\u2019s House of Sport on Sunday from Noon-1:30 p.m. in Thornton. Guessing a fan or 20 will ask him about a new contract.<\/p>\n
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